A mom of two from Indiana lost her life during a family trip after drinking too much water. She felt dehydrated and tried to quench her thirst quickly, leading to water toxicity, a rare and tragic outcome.
During the Fourth of July weekend, 35-year-old Ashley Summers and her family were enjoying a lovely day at Lake Freeman.
However, as the sun blazed down, Ashley started experiencing severe dehydration.
With her husband and two young daughters by her side, she tried to alleviate her thirst but ended up encountering a tragic turn of events.
"Someone said she drank four bottles of water in 20 minutes," her brother Devon Miller told WRTV.
"I mean, an average water bottle is like 16 ounces, so that was 64 ounces that she drank in a span of 20 minutes. That's half a gallon. That's what you're supposed to drink in a whole day."
On the last day of the family's trip, Ashley Summers began feeling like she couldn't drink enough water. As her worried family looked on, She complained of lightheaded and having a stubborn headache.
Unfortunately, these seemingly harmless symptoms led to a devastating tragedy that forever changed their lives.
"My sister, Holly, called me, and she was just an absolute wreck. She was like 'Ashley is in the hospital. She has brain swelling, they don't know what's causing it, they don't know what they can do to get it to go down, and it's not looking good,'" said Miller.
Upon returning from the trip, Ashley Summers collapsed in her garage and was rushed to IU Health Arnett Hospital. Despite all efforts, she never regained consciousness.
The devastating news came from doctors, who informed her grief-stricken family that Ashley had succumbed to water toxicity.
"It was a shock to all of us. When they first started talking about water toxicity. It was like this is a thing?" Miller recalled.
Water toxicity, also called water poisoning or water intoxication, occurs when an individual consumes an excessive amount of water within a short time or when the kidneys retain too much water due to underlying health issues.
Signs of water toxicity include a general feeling of unwellness, along with muscle cramps, soreness, nausea, and headaches.
It is essential to recognize these symptoms and be cautious about overhydrating, as it can lead to severe health complications.
Maintaining a balanced approach to hydration is key to ensuring our well-being and avoiding potential risks associated with excessive water intake.
According to Dr. Blake Froberg, a toxicologist from the hospital, water toxicity is an uncommon cause of death.
Still, it becomes more likely during summer or when individuals engage in outdoor activities or frequent exercise.
The combination of higher temperatures and increased physical exertion can lead to excessive water intake, which may overwhelm the body's ability to process and eliminate water properly.
Being aware of the risks associated with overhydration and staying mindful of our water intake during hot weather and active periods is crucial for maintaining good health.
"There are certain things that can make someone more at risk for it, but the overall thing that happens is that you have too much water and not enough sodium in your body," Froberg said, later noting it's important for people to drink things that have electrolytes, sodium, and potassium.
Despite the tragic loss of Ashley Summers, her selfless spirit lives on through organ donation. As an organ donor, she was able to give the gift of life to others in need.
Her heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, and some of her long bone tissue were successfully transplanted, ultimately saving the lives of five individuals.
In the midst of their grief, her family found solace in knowing that Ashley's legacy would continue through the lives she touched and the precious gift she bestowed upon those in desperate need of a second chance.
Her act of kindness and generosity serves as an inspiring example of the power of organ donation to make a lasting impact on the lives of others.